ORLANDO, Fla. — University of Central Florida Biomedical Science Major Alexis Holmes says her new service dog, Eada, has become a key part of her journey as a college student.
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The Black Lab comes from a funded organization called Step at UCF. It pairs UCF students like Holmes up with a service dog totally free of charge to help them navigate campus.
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“She helps me turn on light switches, open doors, pick up things,” Holmes said of the assistance Eada offers.
Holmes was on campus for two years before she met Eada. She says it was a challenge being away from home and not having the extra set of paws around to help.
“It was kind of lonely, and I was kind of just dealing with myself, and just dealing with the transition of living at home to living alone,” Holmes explained. “It’s difficult for people…disabled, there are a lot more obstacles that you have to face.”
Posted by STEP at UCF on Friday, April 15, 2022
Holmes says Eada has become one of the most popular research assistants in her science classes.
Step at UCF also partners with Canine Companions, which raises service dogs like Eada to be provided to people with disabilities.
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Events like next week’s Dogfest in Winter Park play a major role in making sure they’re able to continue providing the dogs for free.
“These adorable little puppies would not be otherwise if it weren’t for the fundraising,” Step at UCF Vice President Savannah Horseman said. “The fundraising is extremely important because it’s Canine Companion’s way of staying completely non-profit.”
Horseman is raising a future service dog of her own, Hilo, who will eventually be paired with someone once she’s trained and ready.
“It’ll be hard, because she is my buddy right now,” Horseman said. “I know that when she gets paired with her graduate, that that person was always meant for her.”
Dogfest is being held April 23rd from Noon to 2 p.m. at Central Park in Winter Park. Registration is free.
To learn more about contributing to Dogfest, Canine Companions, or Step at UCF, click here.
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